Microstructured chip comprising convex surfaces for surface plasmon resonance analysis, analysis device containing said microstructured chip and use of said device

ABSTRACT

A microstructured chip ( 3; 33; 43; 53; 63 ) for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis, taking the form of a solid formed by: a base ( 5; 77 ); an upper surface ( 4; 44 ), at least part of which is covered with a metal layer ( 2; 22; 42; 52; 62 ); and at least one side surface ( 55; 66 ). The chip is characterised in that the aforementioned upper surface is provided with micrometric zones intended to receive species to be analysed and selected from among n protrusions and m cavities, and in that when n+m≧2 the zones are separated from one another by planar surfaces, with n varying between 1 and j, m varying between 0 and i, and j and i being integers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a microstructured chip comprisingconvex surfaces for surface plasmon resonance analysis, to an analysisdevice containing said microstructured chip, to a method of analysis andto the uses of said device.

Surface plasmon resonance (or SPR) is an optical technique which makesit possible to detect fine variations in physical properties in theimmediate vicinity of a surface. This technique is especially known formaking it possible to monitor biomolecular interactions in real time,and without labeling (fluorescent or radioactive dye, for example). Itmakes it possible in particular to describe and quantify interactionsbetween ligands immobilized on a surface and analytes in solution in asample.

SPR is a physical phenomenon of collective excitation of the electronsof a metal on a metal-dielectric medium interface (said dielectricmedium being typically a liquid medium or a gas). For a particularpolarization of the incident light (transverse magnetic, or “TM”,polarization) on this interface (also referred to as “surface” in therest of the text) and for an angle known as the “plasmon resonanceangle”, a resonance phenomenon occurs which is reflected by the couplingof the incident light energy to a surface wave (known as “surfaceplasmon”) propagating parallel to the interface. This physicalphenomenon is reflected by a drop in the intensity of the lightreflected by the surface. This excitation takes place only for angles ofincidence on the surface above the critical angle of total reflection(which can only exist when a radiation goes from a more refringentmedium having an optical index n1 to a less refringent medium having anoptical index n2, with n1>n2). In this case, the surface plasmon will“probe” the optical thickness at the surface of the metal, on thedielectric medium side, the optical thickness being defined as theproduct of the refractive index multiplied by the thickness. When theseconditions come together, it can then be said that the surface issensitive to the plasmon effect.

Typically, an incident radiation arrives according to a given angle ofincidence on one of the side faces of a chip (generally a prism in theprior art, since it is the simplest method for coupling light on thesensitive surface), one of the faces of which is covered with a metallayer, and said incident radiation is refracted when it enters the prism(owing to the difference in optical index between the mediumconstituting the prism and the preceding optical medium, generally air)and is reflected on said metal surface. This configuration is well-knownto those skilled in the art as the Kretschmann configuration (E.Kretschmann, The determination of the Optical Constants of Metals byExcitation of Surface Plasmons, Z Physik 241:313-324 (1971)). Equivalentconfigurations also exist when the prism is replaced with a diffractionnetwork for coupling the light (Raether configuration: H. Raether in“Surface Polaritons”, eds. Agranovich and Mills, North Holland Pubi.Comp., Amsterdam, 1982).

The SPR phenomenon can also make it possible to study biomolecularinteractions. In this case, ligands are pre-immobilized on the metalsurface of the prism in defined zones. Thus, any subsequent attachmentof other molecules with these ligands will locally modify the opticalthickness at the level of said defined zones, and will therefore causevariations in the resonance conditions and therefore a shift in theresonance angle. This shift is, as a first approximation, proportionalto the amount of biomaterial which has come to interact with theligands. Thus, small molecules will cause a small shift in the angle ofincidence, whereas larger molecules will bring about a greater angularshift. Studying the variations in optical reflectivity associated withthe resonance phenomenon will make it possible to detect and measurebiomolecular interactions and their change over time at the level of thedefined zones.

In addition, other optical methods also make it possible to perform suchphysical phenomena without labeling (resonant mirror, interferometry,surface acoustic waves, quartz microbalance), but these techniquesrequire equipment which is expensive and unsuitable for actualindustrial applications.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

The current SPR systems are bulky, expensive and difficult to implementand do not therefore make it possible to carry out analyses at lowcosts. Indeed, most of the systems currently sold require complicatedmeasurement strategies and allow measurements only on a very precise(virtually point-like) zone of the surface. The devices which enableanalyses of several zones in parallel are very complex and have movingmechanical parts, thus making the system bulky and difficult to use.

For this reason, for several years, a great deal of scientific researchhas been dedicated to the development of effective, economical SPRoptical devices which are easy to use.

Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,264 (Ivarsson et al) describes an SPRdevice using an “angular” interrogation in which the surface to bestudied is excited with a convergent beam and the intensity of thereflected beam is observed on a detector. However, this technique doesnot make it possible to study several zones in parallel, unless severaldetectors are juxtaposed (reference is made to an essentially“single-point” analysis).

The document “Designing a curved surface SPR device, J. Rooney and E. A.H. Hall, Sensors and Actuators B 114 (2006) 804-811” describes a devicewhich makes it possible to detect a biomolecular interaction on aconcave curve spherical substrate. Although said document suggestsjuxtaposing said device 8 times, the detection elements of the deviceare also multiplied 8 times, which makes the final device expensive andbulky.

Documents U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,094 (Johansen et al) and U.S. Pat. No.7,576,863 (Weibel et al) describe an SPR device which uses, not anangular interrogation, but a wavelength interrogation using amonochromator or a source of white light. These devices make it possibleto study several biomolecular interactions in parallel, but comprisemoving parts, which increases the maintenance operations on the system,and therefore the overall cost for the user.

There are also SPR devices which make it possible to perform imaging andto monitor, at fixed angle of incidence and fixed wavelength, the changein biomolecular interactions in defined zones on a chip. Documents U.S.Pat. No. 7,678,584 (Guédon et al), U.S. Pat. No. 7,576,863 (Weibel etal) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,551,286 (Tani et al) present such SPR devices.Although these devices make it possible to analyze several interactionsin parallel, they have moving parts or do not enable a fine analysis ofthe interaction when no part moves.

Furthermore, all the devices previously described use chips which areexpensive by virtue of their fabrication process. Moreover, since themajority of devices are “single-point” devices, the price per analysispoint is high.

Moreover, mention may also be made, in the prior art, of document WO2009/021964 A2 (Maccraith et al) which describes an optical platformintended for detecting analytes by fluorescence. In said document, theupper planar surface of a network of protuberances of paraboloid form iscoated with a metallic film and then functionalized with biologicalspecies. A fluorescence signal is then excited by virtue of a plasmoniceffect generated by the paraboloid geometry of the protuberances, whichmakes it possible to obtain an incident beam on said metal-film-coatedplanar surface above the critical angle.

However, in said document, no information can be directly deduced fromthe characteristics of the plasmon wave itself, since it is used onlyfor the indirect emission of light by luminescence. Furthermore, theworking detection surface is a metal-film-coated planar surface, andmakes it possible only to carry out an analysis at a precise angle of 8.

Finally, there also exists, in the prior art, numerous documentsdescribing chips which have nanostructures at their surface, and some ofwhich use the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) physicalphenomenon. By way of example, the document “Grating coupler integratedphotodiodes for plasmon resonance based sensing, B. Turker et al.,Conference on lasers and Electro-Optics 2011” describes biochips whichhave at their surface nanostructures arranged according to a periodicnetwork. This network of nanostructures is used for coupling incidentlight to the plasmon wave of the metal/dielectric interface of thenetwork. The document “Localised plasmons in gold photonic nanocavities,S. Coyle et al., Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference 2002”presents, for its part, a nanostructured surface with gold nanocavities.These gold nanocavities involve the localized surface plasmon resonance(LSPR) physical phenomenon which differs from the SPR phenomenon andwhich leads to an amplification of the plasmonic signals.

Thus, in the abovementioned two documents, not only is the production ofnetworks and cavities on a nanometric scale difficult, but it is alsonecessary to make use of mobile parts for evaluating the variation inreflectivity of the metallic layer according to the angle of incidenceof the light beam.

Lastly, the most compact devices use chips the surface of which isconcave. However, it is difficult and expensive to produce a concavepart.

There is therefore a real need for a compact SPR device which does nothave any moving parts, which is economical, and which comprises a chipthat is simple to produce, thus allowing low-cost SPR analyses to becarried out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present inventor has found that a device for SPR analysis comprisinga microstructured chip which has a particular architecture makes itpossible to satisfy these requirements.

The term “chip” or “microstructured chip” will be used withoutdistinction in the rest of the text.

The term “radiation” or “beam” will be used without distinction in therest of the text.

FIG. 1 represents a sectional view of the protuberances according tovarious embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a sectional view of the cavities according to variousembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 represents a microstructured chip according to the inventionwhich has protuberances arranged in the form of a matrix.

FIG. 4 represents the upper face of a microstructured chip according tothe invention which has protuberances arranged in the form of guttersalong the X axis.

FIG. 5 represents a sectional view of a protuberance without tilt,irradiated by a collimated and polarized monochromatic incidentradiation.

FIG. 6 represents a sectional view of a protuberance which has a tilt ofan angle β, irradiated by a collimated and polarized monochromaticincident radiation.

FIG. 7 represents a chip according to one embodiment of the inventionwhich has different distances between the planar surfaces separating theprotuberances and the base.

FIG. 8 represents a device comprising a microstructured chip which hasidentical distances between the planar surfaces separating theprotuberances and the base.

FIG. 9 represents a device comprising a microstructured chip which hasdifferent distances between the planar surfaces separating theprotuberances and the base.

FIG. 10 shows a representative plasmon curve of various angular rangesstudied (without tilt).

FIG. 11 shows a representative plasmon curve of various angular rangesstudied (with tilt).

FIG. 12 represents an example of an image on a camera of 3 protuberancesof a microstructured chip according to the invention.

FIG. 13 represents a chip according to the invention comprising 16cavities, at least one of which is different from the others.

FIG. 14 represents the percentage reflectivity as a function of theangle of incidence 8.

FIG. 15 represents the plasmon curves before and after attachment of theEscherichia coli bacterium on the protuberances functionalized withligands specific for the bacterium.

FIG. 16 represents the plasmon curves before and after attachment of theshiga toxins on the protuberances functionalized with ligands specificfor the shiga toxins.

MICROSTRUCTURED CHIP

A first subject of the invention is a microstructured chip for surfaceplasmon resonance (SPR) analysis which is in the form of a solidconsisting of a base, of an upper face, at least one part of which iscovered with a metal layer, and of at least one side face, characterizedin that said upper face is provided with zones of micrometric sizeintended to receive species to be analyzed chosen from n protuberancesand m cavities; and in that when n+m≧2, said zones are separated fromone another by planar surfaces, with n ranging from 1 to j and m rangingfrom 0 to i, j and i being integers.

According to one particular embodiment, the chip contains no cavities(m=0). In other words, the upper face of the chip is provided with zonesof micrometric size intended to receive species to be analyzed, whichzones are chosen uniquely from at least one protuberance.

According to another embodiment, m is not 0 (m>0). In other words, theupper face of the chip is provided with zones of micrometric sizeintended to receive species to be analyzed, which zones are chosen fromat least one protuberance and at least one cavity.

The term “microstructured chip” is intended to mean a chip which haszones of micrometric size intended to receive species to be analyzed.Thus, the chip is not necessarily of micrometric size, but compriseszones which are of micrometric size.

The term “zones of micrometric size” is intended to mean zones whichhave at least two dimensions out of three that are of micrometric size,said micrometric dimensions ranging from 1 μm to 1000 μm, andpreferentially from 10 μm to 500 μm.

The third dimension of the zone is not therefore necessarily micrometricand can exhibit distances of between 1 mm and 20 mm, preferably between1 mm and 10 mm.

The zones according to the invention exhibit particular geometries inthe form of protuberances an optionally of cavities which will besubsequently described. It is at the level of these zones covered with ametal layer that the plasmon effect will be observed.

According to the invention, the chip comprises a number of zones (i.e. nprotuberances and m cavities) of between 1 (when m=0 and n=1) and 500000, preferably between 10 and 10 000 and more preferentially between 25and 400.

According to the invention, at least one part of the upper face iscoated with the metal layer. It represents the working detection surface(also subsequently referred to as sensitive surface). According to theinvention, at least one zone of micrometric size, chosen from nprotuberances and m cavities, is coated with the metal layer.

According to one particular embodiment, the upper face is entirelycovered with the metal layer.

Thus, according to one particular embodiment combined with the precedingone, not only the zones but also the planar surfaces separating saidzones are intended to receive species to be analyzed.

In order to facilitate the description which follows, the directorthonormal reference frame (XYZ) is used in which the planar surfacesseparating the zones are parallel to the plane (XY) and in which the Zaxis is oriented downward.

The term “planar surfaces” is intended to mean planar or substantiallyplanar surfaces which may exhibit some defects.

The planar surface separating two zones intended to receive species tobe analyzed is referred to as inter-zone surface. Thus, the followingterms will be used without distinction: planar surfaces or inter-zonesurfaces or else inter-zone planar surfaces. More specifically:

-   -   when the planar surface separates two zones which are cavities,        the term inter-cavity surface is used;    -   when the planar surface separates two zones which are        protuberances, the term inter-protuberance surface is used; and    -   when the planar surface separates a zone which is a cavity and        another zone which is a protuberance, the term        inter-cavity-protuberance surface is used.

According to one embodiment, the zones are arranged in the form of amatrix on the upper face of the chip. Thus, the planar surfaces separatethe zones both along the X axis and along the Y axis.

According to another embodiment, the zones are arranged in the form ofcontinuous gutters along the upper face of the chip. Thus, according tothis embodiment, the planar surfaces separate the zones on the X axis oralong the Y axis.

According to one embodiment, when n+m≧2, the zones are separated by adistance D along the Y axis and by a distance D′ along the X axis by theplanar surfaces (or inter-zone surfaces); D and D′ being between 0 μm(in the case of a continuous gutter along one of the X or Y axes) and 5mm, preferably between 50 μm and 5 mm, preferably between 200 and 1000μm and particularly preferably between 300 and 700 μm.

According to one embodiment, when n+m≧2, the zones are separated by acenter-to-center CTC distance of between 10 μm and 25 000 μm, preferablybetween 50 μm and 5000 μm and more preferentially between 100 μm and1000 μm.

According to one embodiment, the planar surfaces are in planes parallelto the plane (XY); the upper face is then in the form of staircasesteps.

According to another embodiment, the planar surfaces are in the sameplane (XY) (i.e. Z is constant).

The term “protuberance” is intended to mean an outgrowth on the upperface of the chip, said outgrowth being between two planar surfaces (alsoreferred to as inter-zone surfaces).

The protuberance can be defined either in 3 dimensions (XYZ referenceframe) or in two dimensions (section in one plane).

Thus, the term “protuberance” is given to a volume of which all thecoordinates are above an imaginary plane connecting the two inter-zoneplanar surfaces adjacent to said protuberance.

The protuberance will subsequently be described in the plane (YZ).

Thus, a protuberance according to the invention, described in the plane(YZ), is defined by at least one curve which has a mean radius ofcurvature R and/or at least one straight line.

When the protuberance is defined only by a curve, then the curve isnecessarily convex (i.e. radius of curvature along the +Z axis).

When the protuberance is defined by at least one curve and at least onestraight line, then the curve may be either concave (i.e. radius ofcurvature along the −Z axis), or convex.

According to one particular embodiment, the protuberance is defined bytwo straight lines separated by a curve.

According to one particular embodiment combined with the preceding one,the two straight lines are parallel.

According to another embodiment which can be combined with the precedingone, the two straight lines have different dimensions.

The term “cavity” is intended to mean a hollow in the upper face of thechip, said hollow being between two planar surfaces (also referred to asinter-zone surfaces).

The cavity can be defined either in three dimensions (XYZ referenceframe) or in two dimensions (section in one plane).

Thus, the term “cavity” is given to a volume of which all thecoordinates are in an imaginary plane connecting the two inter-zoneplanar surfaces adjacent to said cavity.

The cavity will subsequently be described in the plane (YZ).

Thus, a cavity according to the invention is described in the plane (YZ)and is defined by at least one curve having a mean radius of curvature Rand/or at least one straight line.

When the cavity is defined only by a curve, then the curve isnecessarily concave (i.e. radius of curvature along the −Z axis).

When the cavity is defined by at least one curve and at least onestraight line, then the curve may be either concave or convex (i.e.radius of curvature along the +Z axis).

According to one particular embodiment, the cavity is defined by twostraight lines separated by a curve.

According to one particular embodiment combined with the preceding one,the two straight lines are parallel.

According to another embodiment which can be combined with the precedingone, the two straight lines have different dimensions.

Thus, according to one particularly preferred embodiment, the zones ofthe chip (n protuberances and m cavities), described in the plane (YZ),are defined only by a curve having a mean radius of curvature R (concavefor a cavity and convex for a protuberance); the radius of curvature Rbeing between 0.1 mm and 600 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 300 mm.

By way of example, mention may be made of n protuberances and m cavitiesof hemispherical, semi-elliptical or semi-cylindrical shape (referenceframe (XYZ)).

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the nprotuberances and m cavities have a semi-cylindrical shape in thereference frame (XYZ).

According to one particular embodiment, the radius of curvature of thezones (i.e. of the n protuberances and the m cavities) is perpendicularto the plane (XY), i.e. along the Z axis.

According to another embodiment, the radius of curvature of the zones isnot perpendicular to the plane (XY) (i.e. the n protuberances and the mcavities have a tilt).

According to one particular embodiment, the zones intended to receivespecies to be analyzed (the n protuberances and m cavities) have anidentical radius of curvature R.

According to the invention, the base of the chip may be a planar orcurved surface, or a ridge, or an apex.

According to one preferred embodiment, the base of the chip is a planarsurface which is preferably parallel to the planar surfaces (alsoreferred to as inter-zone surfaces).

According to another embodiment which can be combined with the precedingone, the planar surfaces are in the same plane (XY). In other words, ifthe base is parallel to said planar surfaces, the distances between theplanar surfaces and the base of the chip are identical. In this case, itis said that the upper face is parallel to the base.

According to another embodiment, the planar surfaces are in multipleplanes parallel to the plane (XY). In other words, if the base isparallel to said planar surfaces, the distances between the planarsurfaces and the base of the chip are different (upper face in the formof a staircase step).

The expression “distances between the planar surfaces (or inter-zonesurfaces) and the base” refers to heights of the chip, i.e. to thelength of the perpendicular connecting the surfaces to the base or to anextension of the base.

According to the invention, the side face(s) of the chip may be planar(perpendicular or not perpendicular to the base and/or to the upper faceof the chip) or curved.

According to one preferred embodiment, the side face(s) of the chip is(are) planar.

According to another preferred embodiment, at least one side face of thechip is perpendicular to the base and/or to the upper face.

According to another embodiment, the upper face is parallel to the baseof the chip.

According to one particular embodiment of the invention, the chip isjoined to a prism well-known from the prior art.

Thus, according to one particular embodiment, the chip is in the form ofa parallelepiped (i.e. a chip which has planar surfaces in the sameplane (XY) and a base parallel to said planar surfaces). According tothis embodiment, the heights of the side surfaces have small dimensionsof about from 0.1 mm to 20 mm, preferably from 1 mm to 10 mm.

The term “species to be analyzed” is intended to mean, for example,materials, gases or biological species such as single-stranded ordouble-stranded DNA, proteins, bacteria, toxins, viruses, mycoplasmas,chemical agents or any other biological or chemical species capable ofinteracting with other biological or chemical species.

According to one preferred embodiment, the species to be analyzed arebiological species, such as pathogenic bacteria, for instance Salmonellaspp., Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium difficile, or elseCampylobacter spp.

The present inventor has demonstrated that it is possible, by using thechip according to the invention, to advantageously study shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, since it enables thesimultaneous analysis of large molecules (bacteria themselves), but alsoof small toxins that they produce.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the n protuberancesand m cavities will be functionalized with various biomarker-specificmonoclonal antibodies.

FIG. 1 represents a section along the plane (ZY) of a protuberanceaccording to various embodiments. In each of these figures, theprotuberance is represented by a surface in the plane (XY) (or by avolume in the XYZ reference frame), all the points of which are locatedabove (negative Z) an imaginary straight line represented by dashes (orimaginary plane in the XYZ reference frame for a volume) connecting thetwo planar surfaces adjacent to the protuberance:

-   -   in case a): the protuberance is defined solely by a        convex-shaped curve with a radius of curvature R (i.e. having a        radius of curvature along the +Z axis);    -   in case b): the protuberance is defined by two parallel straight        lines separated by a curve with a radius of curvature R of        convex shape;    -   in case c): the protuberance is defined by two parallel straight        lines separated by a curve with a radius of curvature R of        concave shape (i.e. having a radius of curvature along the −Z        axis).

FIG. 2 represents a section along the plane (ZY) of a cavity accordingto various embodiments. In each of these figures, the cavitiesrepresented by a surface in the plane (XY) (or by a volume in the XYZreference frame), all the points of which lie below (positive Z) animaginary straight line represented by dashes (or imaginary plane in theXYZ reference frame for a volume) connecting the two planar surfacesadjacent to the cavity:

-   -   in case a): the cavity is defined solely by a concave-shaped        curve with a radius of curvature R (i.e. having a radius of        curvature along the −Z axis);    -   in case b): the cavity is defined by two parallel straight lines        separated by a concave-shaped curve with a radius of curvature        R;    -   in case c): the cavity is defined by two parallel straight lines        separated by a curve with a radius of curvature R of convex        shape (i.e. having a radius of curvature along the +Z axis).

FIG. 3 represents a microstructured chip 3, in which the upper face 4,comprising inter-protuberance planar surfaces, is parallel to the base 5of the chip 3. The upper face 4 is covered with a metal layer 2 and isprovided with protuberances 1 sensitive to the plasmon effect, intendedto receive species to be analyzed.

In FIG. 3, the protuberances 1 are separated from one another by adistance D along the Y axis and by a distance D′ along the X axis, byplanar surfaces (also referred to as inter-protuberance surfaces).

The microstructured chip 3 can be made of any type of material whichallows the propagation of light. Mention may be made, for example, ofglass, a crystal or plastics.

According to one preferred embodiment, for cost reasons, the chip 3 ismade of plastic(s), for instance PMMA (poly(methyl methacrylate)), PC(polycarbonate), PS (polystyrene), SU-8 (epoxy-based negativephotosensitive resin) or PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane).

According to one particular embodiment, when the chip is joined to aprism, it may be made of a material different from that of the prism.

The metal layer 2 which covers the upper layer 4 of the chip 3 (andparticularly the protuberances 1) can be made of various metals such asgold, silver, platinum or aluminum.

According to one preferred embodiment, the metal layer is made of goldbecause of the very good anticorrosive properties of the latter.

The thickness of the metal layer 2 is between 10 and 200 nm, preferablybetween 30 and 100 nm and even more preferentially between 40 nm and 50nm.

According to another embodiment combined with the preceding ones, a thinlayer of chromium is used as a layer for preattachment of the gold tothe upper face 4 of the chip 3.

FIG. 4 represents the upper face of a microstructured chip according tothe invention which is entirely covered with a metal layer 2; saidmicrostructured chip is provided with protuberances which are arrangedin the form of gutters along the X axis, thus forming four columnsC₁-C₄. In FIG. 4, d represents the diameter of the gutter and CTCrepresents the center-to-center distance between two successive gutters.

The chip according to the invention makes it possible to adjust thesensitivity of each zone (i.e. of the n protuberances and m cavities) inorder to study very different biological species.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the n protuberances and mcavities has a radius of curvature different from the others.

FIG. 5 represents an enlargement of a sectional view of FIG. 3 of theconvex-surface protuberance 1 of the chip 3 (covered with the metallayer 2) which is irradiated by a monochromatic collimated beam whichhas an angular incidence θ and is linearly polarized following TMpolarization.

The protuberance, which is semi-cylindrical in shape (in the XYZreference frame), and which has a surface defined by a single curve (inthe plane ZY) in FIGS. 3 and 5, is characterized by its radius ofcurvature R and by the two half-angles α (thus defining a total angle of2α).

The radius of curvature R and the half-angle α will thus define thelength of the chord d, or else the diameter of said cavity.

Owing to the reflection on the sensitive surface (or protuberance 1),the angle of incidence on the two ends A and C will be respectively, fora mean angle of incidence of the collimated beam of θ, θ₁=θ−2α andθ₃=θ+2α. Thus, the beam reflected (θ₁ for the point A, θ₂ for the pointB, θ₃ for the point C) by said protuberance 1 has an angular width Δθ(Δθ=θ₃−θ₁) equal to 4α, centered about the angle θ_(mean) (correspondingto the angle θ₂ in FIG. 5). In this case, θ_(mean)=θ₂=θ.

It is important to note that the choice of the radius of curvature R ofthe n protuberances and m cavities of the chip according to theinvention is very important since it will determine, according to theessential physical parameters (optical index of the chip n_(p), opticalindex of the external dielectric medium n_(e), mean angle of incidenceof the collimated beam θ and the size of the biological species that itis desired to analyze), the sensitivity and the angular dynamics of themeasurement for each of the n protuberances and m cavities.

The expression “angular dynamics of the measurement” is intended to meanthe angular range that it will be possible to visualize during theanalyses.

The term “sensitivity” is intended to mean the smallest variation inoptical thickness that it will be possible to measure on the sensitivesurface.

Indeed, if the radius of curvature is very large, this will draw closerto a plane, therefore the angles θ₁ and θ₃ will be very close (theangular range of analysis Δθ will therefore be very small), making thisconfiguration particularly suitable for the analysis of small molecules(i.e. good sensitivity). Conversely, a very small radius of curvaturewill make it possible to observe the plasmon curve in its entirety, withadmittedly a measurement sensitivity which is lower, but more suitablefor the analysis of large molecules.

It is thus possible, according to the invention, to adapt themeasurement sensitivity for various studied species.

According to another embodiment which can be combined with the precedingone, at least one of the n protuberances and m cavities exhibits a tiltof an angle β.

According to this embodiment, the radius of curvature R is deflectedrelative to the Z axis.

FIG. 6 represents an enlargement of a sectional view of a convex-surfaceprotuberance 41 of a chip 43 (the upper face of which is covered with ametal layer 42) which exhibits a tilt of an angle β and which isirradiated by a collimated monochromatic beam with a mean angle ofincidence θ, which is linearly polarized according to the transversemagnetic TM direction.

In the case of a tilt β of the sensitive surface (in this case of theprotuberance) relative to the perpendicular to the mean plane of thesensitive surface, the mean plane being defined as the plane parallel tothe inter-protuberance planar surfaces, the reflected beam will stillhave an angular width Δθ which is equal to 4α, but which is this timecentered about the mean angle γ′_(mean) (represented by θ₂ in FIG. 3)such that γ′_(mean)=θ+2β for a convex surface.

According to one embodiment, the angle β is defined in the followingway: 0°<β≦80°, preferably 15°≦β≦45°.

It is thus possible, according to the invention, to adjust, for each ofthe n protuberances and m cavities, both the angular width studied andalso the mean angle (i.e. θ₂ or θ′₂ represented in FIGS. 5 and 6depending on whether or not the protuberance is tilted) of this angularrange, thus making it possible to adjust the measurement sensitivity forvarious species within the same chip, during the same experiment.

Thus, according to one particular embodiment, at least one of the zones(i.e. at least one of the n protuberances and m cavities) has both adifferent radius of curvature and a different orientation compared withthe other zones of the chip.

According to another embodiment, which can be combined with thepreceding ones, at least one distance between the base and the planarsurfaces (also referred to as inter-zone surfaces) is different from theothers.

FIG. 7 represents a chip 33 of which the upper face 44, which is coveredwith a metal layer 22, is provided with curve-shaped protuberances 11.The side faces (55, 66) of the chip 33 are perpendicular to the base 77and to the planar surfaces.

The distances separating the planar surfaces between the protuberances11 (or inter-protuberance surfaces) and the base 77 are all differentfrom one another, with d4<d3<d2<d1. In FIG. 7, the inter-zone surfacesare in multiple planes parallel to the plane (XY) (5 planesrepresented).

The chip according to the invention can be produced by various methods,which necessarily comprise a step of fabricating the chip followed by astep of depositing at least one thin metal layer.

Among the fabrication methods, mention may be made of high-pressureinjection, direct mechanical machining, hot stamping, plasma etching,photolithography or laser ablation.

According to one preferred embodiment, the chip is manufactured byhigh-pressure injection molding.

Production of the chip according to the invention necessarily makes useof a mold having a concave shape to produce a convex-shapedprotuberance, thus allowing its production cost to be decreased.Specifically, those skilled in the art will know that the most expensivestep when setting up a high-pressure injection molding process toproduce components is the production of the mold (or master). The factthat the final surface of the part to be produced contains convexprotuberances makes it possible to use a mold with concave shapes, whichcan be obtained by removing material from the master, which is verysimple to do using conventional mechanical machining methods.

Among the methods for depositing thin metal layers, mention may be madeof sputtering, vacuum evaporation techniques, or cold depositiontechniques.

The cold deposition techniques are of use in particular in the case of aplastic support since the plastic cannot withstand large increases intemperature.

Analysis Device

FIGS. 8 and 9 represent different embodiments of measuring devicescomprising the microstructured chip previously described.

Thus, another subject of the present invention is a device for SPRanalysis comprising:

-   -   a light source 7 intended to generate an incident beam;    -   optionally an optical collimation system 8;    -   a polarizing system 6;    -   a microstructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) as previously        described, placed in the optical path of said incident beam;    -   optionally an optical imaging system (9; 69);    -   a detector (10; 70).

According to one embodiment, the coupling between the energy of theincident beam and the surface wave of the metal surface of the chip isperformed by the chip itself.

According to another embodiment, the coupling means is a prism, awaveguide or a diffraction network.

Thus, according to one particular embodiment, when the coupling isperformed by a prism, the chip according to the invention is joined tosaid prism in such a way that the base of the chip is brought intocontact with the upper face of the prism which does not have a metalsurface by means of an index matching oil which is a method well-knownto those skilled in the art.

According to another embodiment, the chip is joined to a waveguide.

According to yet another particular embodiment, the chip is joined to adiffraction network.

According to the invention, the source 7 may be, for example, a mercuryvapor lamp, an incandescence lamp, a laser diode, a laser, alight-emitting diode (LED) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED).

According to one preferred embodiment, the source 7 is a monochromaticLED. The term “monochromatic” is intended to mean an LED of which themid-height spectral width does not exceed 40 nm.

According to the invention, various wavelength ranges can be used, suchas the visible range or the near infrared (IR) range.

According to one preferred embodiment, a wavelength of between 790 and825 nm (near IR) is used.

According to the invention, the beam may be collimated. To do this,various techniques well-known to those skilled in the art may be used.

By way of example, use may be made, as optical collimation system 8, ofa first convergent lens which makes it possible to focus the lightemitted by the source 7 on a hole with a diameter Φ, said hole being inthe focal plane of a convergent lens, thereby making it possible togenerate the collimated beam.

According to one embodiment, the optical collimation system 8 isintegrated into the source 7.

According to the invention, the polarizing system 6 makes it possible towork in transverse magnetic (or TM, or polarization-p) mode.

By way of example, mention may be made of a linear polarizer or apolarizing splitter cube.

According to one preferred embodiment, the polarizing system 6 makes itpossible to easily switch from a TM polarization to a TE (transverseelectric) polarization, and vice versa. In order to avoid any movementof parts, this can be carried out using a liquid crystal strip,controlled by electric currents and voltages.

According to the invention, the detector (10; 70) may, for example, be aCCD or CMOS camera or may be a photodetector matrix.

According to one preferred embodiment, the cameras operate on 8, 10, 12or 16 bits and preferably on 10 or 12 bits.

According to one embodiment, the device also comprises an opticalimaging system (9; 69) which makes it possible to produce the image ofthe microstructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) on the detector (10; 70).

The optical imaging system (9; 69) must be sufficiently open to acceptall the radiations stemming from the microstructured chip. The convexgeometry of the n protuberances with which the chip is providedaccording to the invention especially makes it possible to make thebeams converge after reflection of the incident radiation from saidprotuberances, thus making the optical imaging system (9; 69) muchsimpler to produce.

Furthermore, the optical imaging system (9; 69) is chosen so that theimages of two protuberances or of one protuberance and one cavity of themicrostructured chip correspond to two different positions on thedetector (10; 70).

Finally, advantageously, the optical system exhibits an enlargementwhich maximizes the number of useful pixels on the detector (10; 70).

By way of example of an optical imaging system (9; 69), mention may bemade of 2 planar-convex lenses mounted afocally.

According to the invention, the face via which an incident radiationenters the chip is referred to as the entry face and the face via whichthe radiation reflected by the sensitive surface exits is referred to asthe exit face.

In FIG. 8, the source 7 emits an incident radiation, which is collimatedby means of the collimation system and polarized by means of thepolarizer 6 before reaching the entry face 54 of the chip 53 (coveredwith a metal layer 52) under a given incidence. The radiation isdeflected at its entry into the chip 53 and comes to be reflected on theprotuberances 51.

The imaging system 9, located after the exit face 57 of said chip 53,makes it possible to collect the intensity of the reflected radiationsand to produce the image of the irradiated protuberances 51 on thedetector 10.

The device represented in FIG. 9 comprises a chip 61 (covered with ametal layer 62) of which the side faces are perpendicular to the baseand of which the distances between the surfaces separating theprotuberances 61 from the base are different from one another.

FIG. 9 represents an embodiment in which the incident radiation emittedby the source (not represented in FIG. 9) which reaches the entry face64 (corresponding to the side face) perpendicularly, is not deflectedwhen it passes through the chip 63, and irradiates all of the variousprotuberances 61.

The imaging system 69 and the detector 70 are located after the exitface 67, which, in this embodiment, corresponds to the base of said chip63, thus making it possible to collect the intensity of the reflectedradiations and to produce the image of the protuberances 61.

According to one embodiment, the optical imaging system (9; 69) can bedirectly integrated into the exit face (57; 67) of the chip (53; 63) inthe form of a matrix of microlenses.

According to one preferred embodiment, the collimation system 8 and,optionally, the polarizer 6 are secured to the entry face (54; 64)and/or the optical imaging system (9; 69) and the detector (10; 70) aresecured to the exit face (57; 67).

Method of Measurement

Another subject of the invention relates to a method of SPR measurementwhich comprises the following steps:

-   -   detecting an initial state (i) by irradiating the sensitive        surface of at least one of the n protuberances and m cavities        via the entry face of the microstructured chip by means of a        previously polarized and optionally collimated monochromatic        incident beam; and (ii) by simultaneously detecting the        intensity of the radiations reflected by the sensitive surface        of at least one of said n protuberances and m cavities, exiting        via the exit face;    -   bringing at least one fluid into contact with the sensitive        surface of at least one of said n protuberances and m cavities;    -   irradiating the sensitive surface of at least one of said n        protuberances and m cavities, containing said fluid, via the        entry face of the microstructured chip, by means of a previously        polarized and optionally collimated monochromatic incident beam;        and simultaneously detecting the intensity of the radiations        reflected by the sensitive surface of at least one of said n        protuberances and m cavities, exiting via the exit face, so as        to continuously monitor, in real time, optical thickness        modifications in at least one of said n protuberances and m        cavities, with n>0 and m≧0.

Another subject of the invention relates to a method of SPR measurementwhich comprises the following steps:

-   -   immobilizing ligands on the upper face, covered with a metal        layer, of a microstructured chip as previously defined;    -   detecting an initial state (i) by irradiating the sensitive        surface of at least one of the n protuberances and m cavities        via the entry face of the microstructured chip by means of a        previously polarized and optionally collimated monochromatic        incident beam; and (ii) by simultaneously detecting the        intensity of the radiations reflected by the sensitive surface        of at least one of said n protuberances and m cavities, exiting        via the exit face;    -   bringing at least one fluid into contact with the sensitive        surface of at least one of said n protuberances and m cavities        of said microstructured chip;    -   irradiating the sensitive surface of at least one of said n        protuberances and m cavities, containing said fluid, via the        entry face of the microstructured chip, by means of a previously        polarized and optionally collimated monochromatic incident beam;        and simultaneously detecting the intensity of the radiations        reflected by the sensitive surface of at least one of said n        protuberances and m cavities, exiting via the exit face, so as        to continuously monitor, in real time, optical thickness        modifications in at least one of said n protuberances and m        cavities,    -   with n>0 and m≧0.

According to the invention, the immobilization of the ligands on theupper surface can be carried out with various techniques known to thoseskilled in the art, for instance immobilization by covalent chemicalbonding or by electrocopolymerization of pyrrole on the metal surface.

The term “fluid” is intended to mean a gas or a liquid.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluidcomprises at least one biological species.

These methods of measurement are suitable for measuring, in anonlimiting manner, conformational variations in molecules immobilizedon a surface, biomolecular interactions, optical indices of fluids(gases or liquids), the quality of a surface (parallelism, microscopicroughness, quality of a thin-layer deposit) or of the presence of metalnanobeads in proximity to the surface.

These methods of measurement also make it possible to measure externalparameters such as the optical index of the external medium, which makesit possible to work back to the value of the limiting angle ofrefraction.

According to one embodiment, the incident beam enters perpendicularlyvia the entry face 64 of the chip 63.

The detection of the intensity of the reflected radiations in theangular range Δθ (or Δθ′) by the detector (10; 70) makes it possible togenerate all or part of the plasmon curve, the principal zones ofinterest of which are the following:

-   -   the minimum plasmon sensitivity;    -   the angular range in which the sensitivity is highest (i.e.        where the derivative of the plasmon is the greatest), also        referred to as “flank of the plasmon”;    -   the zone in the area of the limiting angle of refraction (where        things change from a system of refraction to a system of total        reflection).

FIGS. 10 and 11 represent a plasmon curve for 3 zones chosen from nprotuberances and m cavities with n+m=3 having different angular studyranges (1^(st) protuberance having an angular range Δθ₁ for FIG. 10 andΔθ′₁ for FIG. 11, 2^(nd) cavity and/or protuberance having an angularrange Δθ₂ for FIG. 10 and Δθ′₂ for FIG. 11 and 3^(rd) cavity and/orprotuberance having an angular range Δθ₃ for FIG. 10 and Δθ′₃ for FIG.11).

FIG. 10 represents the angular ranges of 3 zones chosen from nprotuberances and m cavities with n+m=3 when β=0 (without tilt), whileFIG. 11 represents the angular ranges of 3 chosen from n protuberancesand m cavities with n+m=3 when β≠0 (with tilt).

In FIG. 10, i.e. when β=0 (without tilt), the 3 angular ranges studiedare centered on the angle θ. The width of each of the zones is definedby the angle at the apex 2α and the radius of curvature R of each of theprotuberances or protuberances and cavities. The choice of the angle θis therefore essential for observing all the zones of interest as wellas possible. It is thus possible, according to the radius of curvatureof the zones studied, to explore a more or less large angular range ofthe plasmon curve. In the case where the zones do not exhibit any tilt θ(this is the case for FIG. 10), this angular range will always becentered on the same value θ.

In FIG. 11, i.e. when θ≠0 (with tilt), the three angular ranges Δθ′₁,Δθ′₂ and Δθ′₃ are centered respectively on the angles γ′₁, γ′₂ and γ′₃,said angles γ′₁, γ′₂ and γ′₃ each being defined by different angles β.In this situation (with tilt), the angular ranges are not centered onthe same value. It is thus possible to explore a variable angular rangeof the plasmon curve while having an incident beam at a single angle,thus making it possible not to need the mobile parts normally used forperforming an angular rotation of the incident beam.

According to another embodiment, the method of measurement alsocomprises a step in which an image of the n protuberances and the mcavities of the chip is produced.

FIG. 12 represents the image of the 3 zones chosen from n protuberancesand m cavities with n+m=3 (plasmon curve of FIG. 11) on a matrixdetector in which the dark band between the luminous bands (grayshading) represents the inter-cavity and/or inter-protuberance surfaceswhich have a constant reflectivity since they are planar surfaces.

According to the invention, it is thus possible, knowing the incidentangle θ which is constant and fixed by the architecture of the opticalsystem (since no mechanical part is moving), to choose the angular rangeΔθ that will optionally be imaged on the detector (by choosing theradius of curvature R and the angle α, or the radius of curvature R andthe diameter d, since α and d are deduced from one another by virtue ofthe radius of curvature R) and the mean angle γ′_(mean) (with the choiceof the tilt β) of the microstructure according to the various species tobe analyzed with γ′_(mean)=θ+2β. This choice can be made for each of then protuberances and the m cavities, thereby making it possible to adaptto several types of species immobilized on the same chip.

Likewise, the choice can be made according to the type of species thatwill interact with the species previously immobilized on the chip: it isthus possible to “adapt” each of the protuberances or protuberances andcavities to the species sought.

Thus, another subject of the invention relates to the use of the deviceaccording to the invention for measuring biomolecular interactions.

The invention is illustrated by means of the examples which are givensolely by way of illustration and are not limiting.

EXAMPLE 1 Protein Chip—Monitoring and Correction of the Index of theExternal Medium in Real Time in Interaction Kinetics

A microstructured chip made of polycarbonate (PC) comprising 16protuberances is represented in FIG. 13.

A layer of gold which has a thickness of 48 nm was deposited bysputtering on the upper face of said chip in order to obtain a plasmoneffect.

In TM polarization, the minimum reflectivity is obtained around theangle θ=28°.

The 16 protuberances are distributed according to a regular matrix of4×4 semi-cylindrical surfaces having a diameter d=500 μm and a lengthL=500 μm, each one spaced out by a center-to-center (CTC) distance of 1mm.

Four different species were covalently immobilized by virtue of anelectropolymerization of a film of polypyrrole functionalized with theligands of interest.

Thus, the following species present in the protuberances are:

-   -   on line L₁: monoclonal anti-mouse antibodies,    -   on line L₂: monoclonal antibodies directed against human        chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG, involved as a biomarker in        several cancer pathologies),    -   on line L₃: monoclonal antibodies directed against the bacterium        Listeria monocytogenes,    -   on line L₄: BSA (bovin serum albumin).

The chip is irradiated with a polarized, collimated and monochromaticincident radiation and the intensity of the radiations reflected by theprotuberances is detected by a CMOS detector.

The radius of curvature of the semi-cylindrical surfaces of theprotuberances of columns C₁, C₂ and C₃ is 9.5 mm (equivalent to anangular study zone Δθ_(a) on the plasmon curve of approximately 3°) andthe protuberances of column C₄ have a radius of curvature of 1.9 mm(equivalent to an angular study zone Δθ_(b) of approximately 15°). Theangular ranges Δθ_(a) and Δθ_(b) correspond respectively to the angularranges Δθ₁ and Δθ₃ in FIG. 10.

A liquid with an unknown optical index, containing hCG proteins, isbrought into contact with the chip in the protuberances. Acharacteristic variation in the signal is observed as a function of timeon the protuberances of line L₂, but not on the others since a specificinteraction takes place on the anti-hCG monoclonal antibodies and not onthe other immobilized proteins.

Furthermore, since the protuberance located at (L₂, C₄) has a radius ofcurvature such that the entire plasmon curve can be visualized on thedetector, the angular value of the limiting angle of refraction can beeasily determined and it is thus possible to deduce the unknown index ofthe liquid medium.

Thus, knowing this index, it is possible to accurately determine thevariation in the signal on the protuberances located at (L₂,C₁), (L₂,C₂)and (L₂,C₃), by decorrelating the variation in signal associated withthe external medium from the variation in signal associated with theattachment of hCG proteins to the anti-hCG monoclonal antibodies.

EXAMPLE 2 Chip for Studying Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coliBacteria

In this example, the presence of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli(STEC) bacteria in a sample stemming from the food-processing industrywas studied.

Examples of bacteria of this category are the O157:H7, O26:H11 or elseO103:H2 strains. The bacteria of this type and the shiga toxins thatthey produce are responsible for severe intestinal problems, which maybe life-threatening. The size and the molecular weight of these shigatoxins (a few nanometers in diameter and a molecular weight ofapproximately 68 kDa) is very different from that of an Escherichia colibacterium (approximately 10 million times heavier). Consequently, theplasmon signals for the attachment of these two types of families arevery different. With conventional SPR devices, it is not thereforepossible to study both these bacteria and these toxins in the sameexperiment and in real time. This is because, in the case of theattachment of bacteria, the curve will shift angularly by close to 0.1°,whereas it will only move by less than 0.01° in the case of toxins(which is not easily detectable by conventional SPR methods).

This example demonstrates that, by using a microstructured chipaccording to the invention which has a particular architecture, it ispossible to study these two biological species of different sizes duringa single experiment.

A chip made of polycarbonate, comprising two semi-cylindricalprotuberances, 600 μm in diameter and 800 μm long, is produced.

The upper face of said chip is covered with a layer of chromium having athickness of 2 nm and with a layer of gold having a thickness of 48 nm,both deposited by sputtering in order to obtain a plasmon effect.

The first protuberance exhibits a zero tilt (β=0) and the secondprotuberance exhibits a tilt of value β=0.5°.

The chip is irradiated with a polarized, collimated and monochromaticincident radiation and the intensity of the radiations reflected by thesensitive surface of the protuberances is detected by a CCD detector.

The mean angle of incidence of the optical system is mechanically fixedby the architecture of the system and is equal to 26.5°.

The radius of curvature of the two protuberances is also different: 11.5mm for the first protuberance (corresponding to an angular study rangeΔθ of 3°) and 100 mm for the second (which corresponds to an angularanalysis range Δθ′ of 0.3°) (FIGS. 14).

Monoclonal antibodies directed against the O157:H7 bacterium arecovalently and uniformly immobilized on the first protuberance, andmonoclonal antibodies specifically directed against the shiga toxinsthat the bacterium secretes are immobilized on the second protuberance.

The two plasmon curves generated from these two protuberances exhibitthe same plasmon resonance angle (approximately 26.7°), before reaction.

When a mixture containing a large amount of O157:H7 bacteria is broughtinto contact with the sensitive surface of the chip (in other words onthe protuberances), some of them interact specifically with theantibodies of the first protuberance. Since bacteria are molecules thatare detected well by SPR (owing to their heavy weight), the plasmoncurve shifts sufficiently for this shift to be picked up very well bythe detector imaging the first protuberance. Moreover, this bacteriumalso secretes shiga toxins during the same experiment.

The second protuberance exhibits a slight tilt (β=0.5°) and a muchsmaller angular width studied (Δθ′=0.3°). Thus, the measurementsensitivity of the second protuberance is greater and it is possible todetect shiga toxins which bind to the antibodies of the secondprotuberance. FIGS. 15 and 16 represent the signals obtained on thedetector for the two protuberances before and after interaction of theantibodies immobilized on each of the protuberances with, respectively,the bacteria and the toxins.

Thus, this example demonstrates that the chip according to the inventionmakes it possible to adjust the measurement dynamics and sensitivity tothe species to be measured during a single experiment.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A microstructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) forsurface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis which is in the form of a solidconsisting of a base (5; 77), of an upper face (4; 44), at least onepart of which is covered with a metal layer (2; 22; 42; 52; 62), and ofat least one side face (55; 66), wherein said upper face is providedwith zones of micrometric size intended to receive species to beanalyzed chosen from n protuberances and m cavities; and in that whenn+m≧2, said zones are separated from one another by planar surfaces,with n ranging from 1 to j and m ranging from 0 to i, j and i beingintegers.
 23. The microstructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) according toclaim 22, wherein at least one zone chosen from the n protuberances andthe m cavities is covered with the metal layer.
 24. The microstructuredchip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) according to claim 22, wherein m=0.
 25. Themicrostructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) according to claim 22, whereinm>0.
 26. The microstructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) according to claim22, wherein the base (5; 77) is a planar surface.
 27. Themicrostructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) according to claim 22, whereinthe upper face (4; 44) is parallel to the base (5; 77).
 28. Themicrostructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) as claimed in claim 22, whereinat least one side face (55; 66) is planar.
 29. The microstructured chip(3; 33; 43; 53; 63) according to claim 27, wherein at least one sideface (55; 66) is planar.
 30. The microstructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53;63) as claimed in claim 28, wherein at least one side face (55; 66) isperpendicular to the base (5; 77) or to the upper face (4; 44).
 31. Themicrostructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) according to claim 29, whereinat least one side face (55; 66) is perpendicular to the base (5; 77) andto the upper face (4; 44).
 32. The microstructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53;63) according to claim 22, wherein the n protuberances and m cavities(1; 11; 41; 51; 61) have a curved surface with a radius of curvature R,preferably of between 0.1 and 600 mm.
 33. The microstructured chip (3;33; 43; 53; 63) according to claim 32, wherein the n protuberances and mcavities (1; 11; 41; 51; 61) have an identical radius of curvature. 34.The microstructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) according to claim 32,wherein at least one of the n protuberances and m cavities (1; 11; 41;51; 61) has a radius of curvature different from the others.
 35. Themicrostructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) according to claim 22, whereinat least one of the n protuberances and m cavities (1; 11; 41; 51; 61)has a tilt of an angle β, such that 0°<β≦80°.
 36. The microstructuredchip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) according to claim 22, wherein at least one ofthe distances separating the planar surfaces between the n protuberancesand m cavities (1; 11; 41; 51; 61) and the base (5; 77) is differentfrom the others.
 37. A device for SPR analysis comprising: a lightsource (7) intended to generate an incident beam; optionally an opticalcollimation system (8); a polarizing system (6); a microstructured chip(3; 33; 43; 53; 63) as defined in claim 22, placed in the optical pathof said incident beam; optionally an optical imaging system (9; 69); adetector (10; 70).
 38. The device according to claim 37, wherein thecollimation system (8) and optionally the polarizer (6) are secured tothe entry face (54; 64) and/or the optical imaging system (9; 69) andthe detector (10; 70) are secured to the exit face (57; 67).
 39. Amethod of SPR measurement which comprises the following steps: detectingan initial state (i) by irradiating the sensitive surface of at leastone of the n protuberances and m cavities via the entry face of themicrostructured chip as defined in claim 22 by means of a previouslypolarized and optionally collimated monochromatic incident beam; and(ii) by simultaneously detecting the intensity of the radiationsreflected by the sensitive surface of at least one of said nprotuberances and m cavities, exiting via the exit face; bringing atleast one fluid into contact with the sensitive surface of at least oneof said n protuberances and m cavities; irradiating the sensitivesurface of at least one of said n protuberances and m cavitiescontaining said fluid, via the entry face of the microstructured chip,by means of a previously polarized and optionally collimatedmonochromatic incident beam; and simultaneously detecting the intensityof the radiations reflected by the sensitive surface of at least one ofsaid n protuberances and m cavities, exiting via the exit face, so as tocontinuously monitor, in real time, optical thickness modifications inat least one of said n protuberances and m cavities, with n>0 and m≧0.40. A method of SPR measurement which comprises the following steps:immobilizing ligands on the upper face, covered with a metal layer, of amicrostructured chip as defined in claim 22; detecting an initial state(i) by irradiating the sensitive surface of at least one of the nprotuberances and m cavities via the entry face of the microstructuredchip by means of a previously polarized and optionally collimatedmonochromatic incident beam; and (ii) by simultaneously detecting theintensity of the radiations reflected by the sensitive surface of atleast one of said n protuberances and m cavities, exiting via the exitface; bringing at least one fluid into contact with the sensitivesurface of at least one of said n protuberances and m cavities of saidmicrostructured chip; irradiating the sensitive surface of at least oneof said n protuberances and m cavities containing said fluid, via theentry face of the microstructured chip, by means of a previouslypolarized and optionally collimated monochromatic incident beam; andsimultaneously detecting the intensity of the radiations reflected bythe sensitive surface of at least one of said n protuberances and mcavities, exiting via the exit face, so as to continuously monitor, inreal time, optical thickness modifications in at least one of said nprotuberances and m cavities, with n>0 and m≧0.
 41. The method accordingto claim 39 further comprising a final step in which an image of the nprotuberances and m cavities (1; 11; 41; 51; 61) of the chip isproduced.
 42. A method for measuring biomolecular interactions by usingthe device as defined in claim
 37. 43. The method according to claim 40,further comprising a final step in which an image of the n protuberancesand m cavities (1; 11; 41; 51; 61) of the chip is produced.